MEET THE TEAM

Dan walks the talk … In July 2017 Dan swam the English Channel in 11 hours 15 mins. In September 2017 he went on to become only the third person to swim a circumnavigation of Rarotonga in 11 hours and 2 minutes. Check out the highlights here ; English Channel or Cook Islands Swim

On March 22 2013 Dan completed the 88th successful swim crossing of New Zealand’s 26km Cook Strait. His time of 6 hours 15 minutes is the fourth fastest swim crossing of Cook Strait.

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand it did not take long for Dan to show he was going to take life by the horns and make the most of it. A competitive swimmer from an early age Dan competed at a National level from 1988 through to 2008. This 20 year elite career included national titles, a 4 year stint in the USA at the University of Iowa (a Division I college) where he graduated with a BSc and academic accolades. Dan’s last National swimming competition meet was in October 2008 at age 33, when he was a finalist in the mens 100 Butterfly.

After graduating college in 1999 Dan took a short ‘break’, during that period he trained upcoming swimmers both in the water and in the gym, while working in the marketing profession for a well recognised adventure clothing and equipment manufacturer. Living his ethos of making the most of life Dan also used this time to become a qualified pilot and experienced scuba diver.

In 2001 Dan joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a commissioned officer. He immediately made an impact graduating top of his commissioning class in June 2001 and was awarded the trophy for top graduate in academics, leadership and personal qualities. Amongst his achievements during an eight year career, Dan qualified as a Navigator, was the air tasking officer during relief efforts in Indonesia and Thailand after the 2004 Tsunami and also worked in the Demitilarized Zone in South Korea, providing an essential diplomatic role between international delegations, South Korean political and business interests and the military (a role for which he was highly commended).

During his career Dan maintained a high level of physical fitness, focussing on swimming and general fitness, including winning mutliple New Zealand National Masters swimming titles and records. He also achieved his Commercial Pilots licence in both New Zealand and Australia.

Dan retired from the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 2010 after a satisfying and rewarding career . As a new challenge Dan moved from New Zealand to London and started working as a manager at a health club for a well recognised fitness brand. Over the next 12 months Dan transformed the club from a poor performer to one of the best performing health clubs in London. Dan also managed to ‘squeeze’ in an epic relay swim across the infamous English channel in October 2010, and with his team mates raised over £9000 for UK charities.

In 2011 Dan became a UK National Masters swimming champion for the first time.

In 2012 Dan has raced and won age titles in the State NZ Open Water swim series. He also competed in the NZ National Long Course Masters Swim Championships winning multiple events and setting National Records in the process.

In 2013 Dan was the age group category winner (30-39 years) at the Epic Swimming championships in both the 10km swim and the 2.5km swim held at lake Taupo New Zealand.

2017 Completed a crossing of the English Channel in 11 hours 15 minutes – check out video of the swim here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q33mmnS49AA&t=7s

In the UK Fit&Abel delivers the swimming coaching services under contract to SwimTrek at the Tooting Bec Lido – Londons premier open water swimming training venue.

In New Zealand Fit & Abel provides swim coaching, open water swimming clinics, open water swimming adventures and swim safety services based out of Christchurch.

Dan is Head Coach for Fit&Abel in both hemispheres and also continues to write (Contributing writer for OutdoorSwimmer Magazine), film, photograph and share his passion for swimming, especially in the open water. Check out the updates on our facebook page

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science Recreation Management

CYQ Level 3 Qualified Personal Trainer

UK ASA Level 2 Swim Coaching Award

Swimming NZ Accredited Coach

Member UK Institute of Swimming

Member Swim Coaches and Teachers of New Zealand Inc

Member New Zealand Swimmers Association

Member World Swimming Association

RLS Beach Lifeguard

Surf Life Saving New Zealand qualified lifeguard

First Aid at Work certified

Pre Hospital Emergency Care certified

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Anna is a well known open water swimming enthusiast and authority in New Zealand. She has a long history in competitive swimming, water polo and surf life saving. Anna has been an integral part of the Fit&Abel development since our inception , especially the growth or our RealSwim brand – focussing on encouraging and nurturing adult participation and enjoyment of open water swimming.

In ‘Real’ life Anna works as an IT consultant. With Fit&Abel Anna can be found on a number of our RealSwim Adventures and is always happy to share her swim knowledge and expertise with our clients.

Qualifications

– BSc Biology

– Lake Taupo swim (40.2km) https://nemo49.wordpress.com/the-swim/

– Qualified Beach Lifeguard

– First Aid qualified

– Works as swim support each week in Wellington for her local swim group.

Swimming has been part of Melanie’s life for 50 years. Her father raced yachts in the 1970’s so swimming lessons were implemented from an early age at Wharenui swimming pool. Melanie graduated from the learn to swim programme into the competitive programme and was mentored by the likes of Jaynie Parkhouse and Mark Treffers. Melanie made her first national swim team aged 14 years at the Edmonton Commonwealth Games and continued to represent New Zealand at Word Championships, Olympics and numerous other international events. Melanie was New Zealand Swimmer of the Year in 1980 and gained a bronze medal at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games two years later. She retired from her competitive swimming in the mid eighties and moved to Bermuda to take up a coaching position. Once there Melanie also established a vibrant Surf, Tri, Masters swimming programme as the sport of Triathlon was taking off world wide.

The nineties were spent raising a family in Christchurch and Melanie continued to swim in the Masters programme and coach part-time at Aquagym. Unfortunately Melanie was widowed in the late 90’s and life took a different turn. She went back to university to gain a law degree and practiced commercial litigation until 2014 but still continued to enjoy her swimming with a masters squad at Wharenui.

Life has now come back full circle and Melanie once again is coaching and swim guiding with Dan at Fit&Abel.

Qualifications

– BA Education

– LLB (Law)

– NZ International representative swimmer

– Current active Surf Life Guard

– St Johns First Aid qualified

Originally from England where I swam at National level I subsequently moved to NZ in 2008. I continued to swim but also took my passion for swimming and used it to help teach and coach the younger members of the squad, gaining my Swim Coaching Certificate. I am currently an active volunteer surf lifeguard and lifeguard instructor also volunteering for the Sumner Lifeboat (coastguard affiliated) since 2012. I am currently studying for a tertiary qualification in Health and Safety while continuing to pursue my passion for the open water. In 2016 I completed Lake Taupos Epic Swim 17.5km and swimming the Foveaux Strait, total distance swum due to currents etc around 30km.

Ollie has a long background in competitive swimming. From 2002-2010 he enjoyed success while racing at regional, South Island and national level. He still enjoys swim training, road cycling, open water swimming and the odd triathlon. Ollie is a very experienced technical swim coach.Ollie is available for weekend private adult swimming, from learn to swim through to stroke assessment and video analysis at the Fit&Abel RealSwim Center.

Qualifications

– Experienced swimmer and swim coach

– Current elite cycle competitor

– BCom and BA French

– Beach Lifeguard

– First Aid

AQUA JUNIORS

I have been teaching swimming for 13 years, having worked in Northern Ireland, Australia and now New Zealand, where I have lived for the past 7 years.

I remember my first lesson with a boy called Michael, an autistic boy who loved the water. His parents wanted him to be safe in and around water. He loved the feeling of the water pressure on his body and gained confidence, becoming an independent and safe swimmer.

Since Michael, I have been able to help many apprehensive students gain competence, confidence and coordination in the water. This is achieved by teaching to the individual needs of each student and ensuring that they enjoy their time in the water.

Establishing Aqua Juniors Special Needs Swim School has allowed me to realise my ambition to provide a safe, quiet, distraction-free, environment, that is accessible to everyone. I am privileged to have a job that allows me to help young people develop while having fun.

REAL SWIM ADVENTURE TOURS

FitandAbel specialises in open water swimming – we truly believe swimming is one of the best forms of exercise available. We can help you with adult learn to swim, open water swimming, competitive triathlon and open water or pool swimming aspirations.